Pace rested a handful of players ahead of tomorrow's repeated FA Cup second-round replay showdown with Chesterfield at the Butcher's Arms, which will see Droylsden seeking to clinch a money- spinning trip to Ipswich at the fourth time of asking.
But the gamble backfired as his deliberately watered-down side tamely surrendered to a defeat which leaves the Bloods now with a mountain to climb if they're to achieve their manager's main target of bouncing straight back to Blue Square Premier.
Two uncharacteristic mistakes by defender Carl Ruffer, standing in for Colin Cryan, led to Tamworth's goals, prompting Pace to promise that, in future, he'll stick to naming his full-strength team.
Pace, whose side remain six points adrift of a play-off place in 11th, said: "I've told the lads that, Ipswich or no Ipswich, I'll be selecting only what I regard as my strongest line-up for league games from now on."
Stalybridge, too, saw their promotion hopes hit as they went down to a late goal in losing 1-0 at AFC Telford.
Relegation-threatened Hyde stay just outside the drop-zone after Daniel Douglas-Pringle's 17th minute spot-kick secured them a 1-1 draw with Alfreton at Ewen Fields.
But the troubled Tigers' real hero was keeper Craig Dootson, who then saved a penalty to rescue them from defeat after the visitors had drawn level.
FC United returned to winning ways in UniBond premier with a heartening 3-2 Gigg Lane victory over high-flying Marine.
The rebel Reds twice surrendered leads given them by Tommy Turner and Chris Baguley - the former with his first goal for FC - but eventually snatched the points thanks to substitute Nick Robinson's 88th minute winner.
Iain Howard's 65th minute equaliser ensured Ashton United's promotion battle with Ilkeston finished deadlocked at 1-1.
In division one north, FA Cup heroes Curzon Ashton also had to settle for a 1-1 draw at lowly Ossett.
Rock-bottom Salford, who are now searching for their third manager of the season following Ash Berry's swift exit, remain eight points adrift of safety after tumbling 3-2 to Woodley at Moor Lane.
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